Chapter 109: Breakthrough
The allied forces annihilated every mber of the Rockturtle Tribe’s assault team.
Riding that montum, the duke led a direct charge toward Verbon Fortress.
“Now is our chance! Miss this, and there won’t be another! Full speed ahead!”
The riders drove their horses rcilessly, galloping forward.
As they advanced, they saw the gate, half-open, in their sights.
‘Evan really opened the gate. Evan! Hold on!’
The duke had initially estimated a minimum of a week to capture Verbon Fortress.
But thanks to Evan’s efforts, they breached it in a single day.
Right at this mont.
“Clear the way!”
The duke and the allied forces poured through the half-open gate.
The Rockturtle warriors raised their shields to resist, but they couldn’t withstand the overwhelming montum of the allied forces.
“Leave none alive!”
A fierce battle erupted within the fortress between the allied forces and the Rockturtle warriors.
The duke charged straight toward the heart of the battlefield.
There, Evan faced off against Grumbak.
“Evan!”
The duke spurred his saddle, leaping into the air.
He unleashed a ferocious sword aura.
“Heriel!”
Grumbak raised his shield to block the duke’s sword aura.
But,
“Watch your back.”
The mont Grumbak’s gaze shifted, Evan charged, slamming into him.
―Boom!
Grumbak’s body wavered montarily.
Seizing the opening, the duke’s sword aura struck.
―Slash!
Grumbak’s arm fell to the ground.
“Grr! You!”
Grumbak imdiately attempted a counterattack.
He swung his remaining arm, shield in hand, aiming to crush Evan’s head.
But Evan moved a step faster.
He plunged his fingers into the wound of Grumbak’s severed arm, twisting.
“Graaagh!!!”
Writhing in excruciating pain, Grumbak flailed, and Evan tripped him with a sweep of his leg.
―Thud!
Evan mounted the fallen Grumbak’s chest.
He pressed the buckler hard against Grumbak’s throat.
“It’s over. Surrender now. If you want to save your remaining n.”
The intense pressure choked him.
Grumbak gritted his teeth and looked around.
A horrific sight t his eyes.
The Rockturtle Tribe, overwheld by the allied forces’ montum.
His once-mighty kin were falling one by one.
“Do it!”
“…”
Despite being urged to surrender, Grumbak refused to open his mouth.
anwhile, the last Rockturtle warrior fell, and the duke pointed his sword at the chief, speaking to Evan.
“It’s no use, Evan. These n don’t know surrender.”
“Pathetic fool! Had you surrendered, at least your n might’ve lived.”
Despite Evan’s pressure with the shield, Grumbak grinned and said, “Hah! Warriors don’t surrender! Only glorious death awaits!”
“Glorious death… Is that what you see in this?”
All that was visible was the corpses of warriors who t a grueso end.
Even if glory lay beyond death, all they left behind was defeat and ruin.
“They died because of an incompetent, stubborn commander.”
Despite Evan’s accusation, Grumbak snorted.
“Incompetent… Don’t make laugh. I’ve already achieved my goal.”
The duke’s eyes sharpened.
“What do you an?”
“Even if we don’t hold this fortress, you’re already too late. Even if I only bought a day, it was to eliminate variables.”
“What?”
“Even if you race like mad, it’ll take at least three days to reach the capital.”
Grumbak pinpointed the duke’s exact concern.
“And by then, the capital will already be razed.”
No matter how fast they rode, physical ti constraints were unavoidable.
“The attack has already begun. When you reach the capital, all you’ll see is your king’s head rolling on the ground!”
Grumbak laughed, his blood-stained lips twitching.
At this, Evan silently lifted the shield and stood.
“Then die with !”
As Grumbak swung his fist, the duke’s sword severed his neck.
―Thump!
The duke spoke in a heavy voice.
“Don’t be swayed by the enemy’s words. We press forward.”
But his eyes wavered as he spoke.
The lords, hearing this after occupying the fortress, reacted similarly.
“If the capital really falls…”
“All our efforts will be for nothing.”
Despair spread among them.
“Should we have stayed in our territories…?”
“Your Majesty…”
Evan stepped forward amid this uneasy atmosphere.
“Everyone, snap out of it!”
His resolute shout drew all eyes.
“The capital won’t fall that easily! Think of His Majesty, waiting for us!”
His voice stirred the lords’ hearts and minds.
“The kingdom’s army is not weak. Don’t you trust their strength?”
The duke took a deep breath.
When he raised his head, his eyes shone with conviction.
“You’re right. They’re more than capable of holding against the barbarians. Especially with the Vaberin Family there.”
Hearing this, the lords began to regain their composure.
Hope flickered once more.
“The duke is right.”
“Indeed. Let’s move out now!”
Though he succeeded in rallying their spirits, Evan still grappled with the practical problem.
‘I’ve rekindled their resolve. The issue is… the physical distance.’
Most of the duke’s allied forces were infantry, making their mobility significantly limited.
At this pace, in the worst case, the capital could fall before they arrived.
A swift decision was needed.
“Duke, I have a proposal.”
“Go ahead.”
Evan offered another suggestion for that decision.
“The allied forces are undeniably slow. Most are infantry, aren’t they?”
The duke nodded, asking, “And?”
“A small cavalry unit should rush to the capital ahead of the rest.”
“That makes sense. But our cavalry numbers only a few thousand. They risk being picked off individually.”
He had considered it but deed it too risky to execute.
But Evan insisted strongly, as if there were no other option.
“I know. But even disrupting their rear could buy the capital ti.”
“It’s still dangerous. Even our full force attacking their rear is at a disadvantage. Splitting our forces further is suicide.”
Nurical inferiority.
Considering the quality of troops, disrupting the enemy with a small force would be a aningless sacrifice.
“If only we had mages. But they’re defending the capital.”
Evan revealed a plan only he knew.
“I have sothing to replace mages.”
“Hm?”
“A big blow to disrupt the enemy.”
Evan gave a cryptic smile without elaborating.
The duke paused, then his expression shifted as if realizing sothing.
“…You an to use that?”
“Yes.”
“You know how to use it?”
Evan nodded confidently.
“Of course. Without that blow, I wouldn’t have stepped up.”
The lords were clueless about their conversation.
“I’ll speak with the little count privately.”
The duke pulled Evan aside and spoke quietly.
“If you mishandle the Fire Dragon Orb, you’ll be caught in it. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
“Yes. I already used its power to repel those who invaded my family’s estate.”
The duke looked puzzled.
“How?”
“With Venus, which absorbs its power.”
“Venus! How did I forget that?”
Venus, a magic sword that manipulates elental forces.
Since the Fire Dragon Orb’s power was ‘fire,’
Venus could absorb it.
“Indeed, that sword could control its power.”
His eyes gleaming, the duke spoke firmly again.
“Even so, it’s too dangerous. You’d be at the forefront, wouldn’t you?”
“Yes, soone has to step up. If so, I’ll save the kingdom.”
“Evan, then I’ll go with you.”
Evan imdiately shook his head.
“The allied forces’ core is you, Duke. If you’re gone, the army will lose its drive and fracture.”
The duke fell silent.
“I’m scared of dying too.”
Evan took a deep breath.
“So I won’t take reckless risks. I’ll survive and see you again.”
“Evan…”
The duke peered into the depths of his eyes.
They held strong conviction and confidence.
Above all, the duke hadn’t forgotten Evan’s achievents.
“I keep burdening you with heavy responsibilities.”
“It’s fine. I’m just doing my duty as a mber of the kingdom.”
“Alright. But put yourself before the kingdom. I don’t think you need to resolve to die.”
Evan looked at the duke silently for a mont.
Was this what having family felt like?
He didn’t know, but the fact that soone cared for him first stirred a deep emotion.
“…I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Good. Then I’ll choose who’ll go with you.”
After Evan volunteered, the duke wondered who would step up for this dangerous mission.
Surprisingly, a volunteer erged quickly.
“I’ll lead the cavalry.”
The mont the duke spoke, soone raised their hand.
It was Viscount Card Laper, commanding the western army.
“Viscount Card! I can trust you.”
Card bowed calmly.
“With Little Count Evan Lafard’s resolve, how could I not step up?”
“Splendid!”
Had the duke known Card Laper was from a branch of the Lafard Family, he wouldn’t have allowed it.
But no one present, not even Evan, knew this fact.
“I’m counting on you, Viscount.”
“Likewise.”
When Evan extended his hand, Card gripped it firmly.
Thus, Evan and the cavalry unit to accompany him were ford, while Gaiard sat on the walls, looking down at the scene.
“Hm? What did they talk about to pair those two?”
Watching Evan and Viscount Card together, Gaiard smirked with intrigue.
‘They’re entangled at this mont? This’ll be a ss.’
Yet he had no intention of sharing what he alone knew with Evan.
The reason was simple.
It just seed like it would be fun.
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